Device and method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display

Abstract

A device and method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display including the positioning of a liquid crystal beam deflector on display device, such as a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal beam deflector is capable of deflecting a display image incident thereon, thereby deflecting a primary viewing axis, resulting in an altered viewing axis and/or a broader viewing cone. The resultant effect allows the user to view the display image from the altered viewing angle or at any position within the broader viewing cone, to provide for a higher contrast output image by deflecting the brightest image away from the direction of specular reflection in ambient illuminated reflective displays.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display comprising a: a display, generating a display image viewable at a primary viewing axis; and   a liquid crystal beam deflector, positioned adjacent a surface of the display, the liquid crystal beam deflector capable of deflecting the display image incident thereon, thereby deflecting the primary viewing axis and generating at least one altered primary viewing axis.   
     
     
       2. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       3. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal stack formation characterized by a liquid crystal material positioned therebetween a plurality of transparent plates. 
     
     
       4. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the liquid crystal beam deflector operates in one of a static mode and a continuous scan mode. 
     
     
       5. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the liquid crystal display is a transmissive liquid crystal display and includes a backlight light source. 
     
     
       6. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 2 wherein the liquid crystal display is a reflective liquid crystal display, dependent upon an ambient light source. 
     
     
       7. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 6 wherein the liquid crystal beam deflector is optically transparent and operates in a transmissive mode. 
     
     
       8. A device for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 6 wherein the liquid crystal beam deflector is fabricated to include reflective optical properties and operates in a reflective mode. 
     
     
       9. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display comprising the steps of: providing a display including a display image viewable at a primary viewing axis; and   positioning a liquid crystal beam deflector adjacent a surface of the display, the liquid crystal beam deflector capable of deflecting the display image incident thereon, thereby deflecting the primary viewing axis.   
     
     
       10. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 9 wherein the step of providing a display includes providing a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       11. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 10 wherein the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal material positioned therebetween two transparent plates. 
     
     
       12. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 10 wherein the step of providing a display includes providing an ambient illuminated reflective display. 
     
     
       13. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of positioning a liquid crystal beam deflector includes positioning a transmissive liquid crystal beam deflector adjacent the ambient illuminated reflective display, thereby permitting the display image incident thereon to pass therethrough. 
     
     
       14. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of positioning a liquid crystal beam deflector includes positioning a reflective liquid crystal beam deflector adjacent the ambient illuminated reflective display, the reflective liquid crystal beam deflector including reflective properties and thereby deflecting and reflecting the display image incident thereon back through the liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       15. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 10 wherein the liquid crystal beam deflector deflects the primary viewing axis statically to an alternate angle, thereby shifting the primary viewing axis and generating an altered viewing angle. 
     
     
       16. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 10 wherein the liquid crystal beam deflector continuously scans the primary viewing axis across varying angles, thus generating a plurality of altered viewing angles and a broad viewing cone. 
     
     
       17. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 10 wherein the step of providing a liquid crystal display includes providing a light source and micro-optics for generating collimated light, the collimated light incident upon a liquid crystal material, thereby generating the display image. 
     
     
       18. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display comprising the steps of: providing a liquid crystal display including a display image viewable at a primary viewing axis, the liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal stack formation, characterized by a liquid crystal material positioned therebetween a plurality of transparent plates; and   positioning a liquid crystal beam deflector adjacent a surface of the liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal beam deflector capable of deflecting the display image incident thereon, thereby deflecting the primary viewing axis and generating at least one alternate primary viewing axis.   
     
     
       19. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 18 wherein the liquid crystal display further includes a light source and micro-optics for generating collimated light, the collimated light incident upon the liquid crystal stack formation, thereby generating the display image. 
     
     
       20. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 18 wherein the step of providing a liquid crystal display includes providing a backlight illuminated transmissive display. 
     
     
       21. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 18 wherein the step of providing a display includes providing an ambient illuminated reflective display. 
     
     
       22. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of positioning a liquid crystal beam deflector includes positioning a transmissive liquid crystal beam deflector adjacent the ambient illuminated reflective display, thereby permitting the display image incident thereon to pass therethrough. 
     
     
       23. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of positioning a liquid crystal beam deflector includes positioning a reflective liquid crystal beam deflector adjacent the ambient illuminated reflective display, the reflective liquid crystal beam deflector including reflective properties and thereby deflecting and reflecting the display image incident thereon back through the liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       24. A method for enhancing the viewing angle of a display as claimed in claim 18 wherein the liquid crystal beam deflector one of statically deflects the display image to an alternate primary viewing angle, thereby shifting the primary viewing axis and continuously scanning the display image across varying angles, thus generating a plurality of altered viewing angles and a broad viewing cone.